ARA’s mission is to engage in commercial, residential and cultural development that promotes community well-being, while respecting the people, institutions and history of East Austin and other underserved communities.
VISION
ARA’s vision is to maintain commitment to and support of underserved communities which created neighborhoods that are more attractive with vibrant corridors and distinct cultural assets.
VALUES
ARA’s values guide how the organization will operate to achieve its vision and mission. These values are:
- Integrity
- Professionalism
- Quality
- Respect
- Partnership
- Commitment
- Teamwork
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman: Mr. Willis Hunt
Chairman Emeritus: Dr. Charles Urdy
Vice Chair: Ms. Tam Hawkins
Secretary: Wayne Knox
Asst. Secretary: Mrs. Vera Givens
Treasurer: Mr. Willis Adams
Parliamentarian: Mr. Eric Standridge
Assistant Parliamentarian: Quincy Dunlap
See our list of former board members.
AT-LARGE MEMBERS
Mr. Larry Jackson
Mr. Stuart King
Dr. Connie Williams
Mr. Nelson Linder
Ms. Lavon Marshall
Ms. Cherelle VanBrakle
Ms. Linda von Quintus
STAFF
Mr. Gregory L. Smith, President & CEO
Gregory L. Smith has lived in Austin his entire life. Smith was a staffer in Austin’s Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department in the mid-nineties. He’s been around since the beginning of the revitalization effort in Central East Austin. You could say he was there before the beginning.
“My shop in Neighborhood Housing became responsible for about 20 parcels of land that the city owned on E. 11th Street,” Smith said. “Around 1994, 1995, something like that … I started preparing to dispose of these 20 parcels.”
Before he could create the request for a proposal to sell off the lots, Eastside politicos found out about them. They stopped the sales and held meetings to get the community involved in their development. They organized themselves as the Austin Revitalization Authority, a group of African American leaders and neighborhood residents, led by Chairman Emeritus, Dr. Charles Urdy. With the city’s consent, they mediated the sessions that produced the East 11th and 12th Street Community Redevelopment Plan – better known as the Urban Renewal Plan.
Since 2009, he has provided leadership and demonstrated his tremendous dedication to the organization.